Wedges for felling!

[TerryTibbs]

Doing my CS32 next week, i have a few varied Oregon yellow wedges but i've been looking (and the course has recommended!) getting some hi-lift wedges...

 

So i've been looking around for alternatives before i just get these, i've used steel wedges before and they drive in nicely.

 

I saw this from Clark's

 

Ochsenkopf Aluminium Twisted Wedges | Clark Forest : Forestry Tools

 

Does anyone use twisted wedges for felling? Or should i just stick to a couple of hi lift wedges with an extra ring on each?

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

[Steve Bullman]

Those look cool...not seen them before, might have to try some.

 

Its a shame we're not supposed to use the metal wedges anymore, nothing comes close to them in efficiency.

[Paul Cleaver]

i wouldnt use steel wedges - dont want to catch them with your saw

 

use a plastic wedge to start - then high lift wedge when you have a decent gap - you may want to use 2 plastic wedges either side and high lift in the middle

 

alternatively you could use just plastic wedges - start with one to open up, then use two together for the fell - but i prefer high lift wedge option personally

[Chris Sheppard]

The twisted ones aren't very good for felling with (or at least the steel one I have isn't) as they tend to have a habit of geting spat back out.

 

Hi-lift wise, I've found the sthihl one to have the edge over others (quite literally) as it has a finer point on it. Some of the others are quite blunt ended and can be a bit more of a faff to get started. The stihl one will even find a way in if its sat back on the saw.

 

Definitely double ring is the way forward. If you can though, when it comes to putting a new shaft on them, the oschenkopf ones are a bit thinner than everyone elses and the rings slide a good couple of inches down before they sit tight - I managed to split a new oschenkopf shaft in one day. I put it down to the amount of wood sticking out past the rings.

[Paul Smith]

You can use plastic inserts for the high lifts, you don't need any rings on them! Clarks are the only place that sells them!

[Daniël Bos]

I thought the twisted wedges were for splitting rather than felling?

[Bob Slade]

Err! Why not make your own, doesn't take long and if you break them just make some more:thumbup:

[Chris Sheppard]

I thought the twisted wedges were for splitting rather than felling?

 

That was my understanding of them too, but one day I only had my twisted one with me for some reason so didn't have any choice.

 

Err! Why not make your own, doesn't take long and if you break them just make some more:thumbup:

 

The odd times I've tried cutting one in the wood theyve been next to useless, maybe it depends on the wood?

Edited May 15, 2012 by Chris Sheppard

[Andy Collins]

i made one one out of yew once, it was ok but it was a sod to find if i put it on the ground!! No reason why you cant make your own wedges, but tbh for the cost, better things to do with my time!

[Stubby]

I have used the " cheese" out of the gob cut before . You get a new wedge every fell !